The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has called for contact to be made with French President Jacques Chirac about his objection to Irish nominees for President of the European Commission.
Referring to a report yesterday in The Irish Times in which sources close to Mr Chirac described as troublesome Ireland's absence from the Schengen border-free area, Mr Kenny said, "That is an accident of history and is not as fundamental as the euro zone."
The Fine Gael leader said that four Irish people had been mentioned as potential candidates: the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern; former EU commissioner Mr Peter Sutherland, former taoiseach Mr John Bruton and the President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox.
"The French President, Mr Chirac, should be contacted regarding his objection to Irish candidates on the basis mentioned, with which I disagree," Mr Kenny said.
He asked if Ireland would have an observer at the NATO summit next week. The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, confirmed that the Taoiseach would attend on behalf of the EU.
